They Call The Wind Mariah Lyrics Paint Your Wagon
Introduction
"They Call The Wind Mariah" is a song from the musical Paint Your Wagon. The song was written by Alan J. Lerner and Frederick Loewe, and was first performed in 1951. The song has become a classic and has been covered by many artists over the years. In this article, we will explore the lyrics of "They Call The Wind Mariah" and their meaning.
Verse 1
Way out west, they got a nameFor rain and wind and fireThe rain is Tess, the fire's JoeAnd they call the wind Mariah
The first verse of the song sets the scene in the American West, where the weather can be extreme. The rain and fire are personified as Tess and Joe, respectively. The wind, which is also personified, is given the name Mariah. The name Mariah is derived from the Hebrew name Miriam, which means "bitter" or "rebellious."
Chorus
Mariah blows the stars aroundAnd sends the clouds a-flyin'Mariah makes the mountains soundLike folks was up there dyin'
The chorus of the song describes the power of the wind. Mariah is depicted as a force of nature that can move the stars and clouds. The wind is so strong that it makes the mountains sound like people are dying.
Verse 2
Mariah, MariahThey call the wind MariahBefore I knew Mariah's nameAnd heard her wail and whinin'
The second verse of the song is a repetition of the chorus, with the addition of the line "Before I knew Mariah's name." The line suggests that the wind has always been a part of the landscape, but it wasn't until someone gave it a name that it became a character in people's stories.
Verse 3
And I had a girl, and she had meAnd the sun was always shinin'But then one day, I left my girlI left her far behindin'
The third verse of the song introduces a personal story. The singer had a girl and they were happy together, but he left her one day and moved on. The sun, which had always been shining, now seems to be a symbol of the happiness that the singer has lost.
Verse 4
And now I'm lost, I'm so aloneI'm asking, "What'll I do?"And the wind will seem to say"Mariah, Mariah, they always call the wind Mariah"
The fourth verse of the song expresses the singer's loneliness and his search for meaning. The wind seems to offer an answer in the form of its name, Mariah. The repetition of the line "They always call the wind Mariah" suggests that the wind has been a constant presence in the singer's life, even though he may not have been aware of it.
Verse 5
Now, out here, they got a nameFor rain and wind and fire onlyBut when you're lost and all aloneThere ain't no name for lonely
The final verse of the song brings the focus back to the American West, where the song began. The singer reflects on the fact that there are names for rain, wind, and fire, but there is no name for loneliness. The line suggests that the wind, with its name Mariah, may offer some comfort in the face of loneliness.
Conclusion
The lyrics of "They Call The Wind Mariah" are a poetic exploration of the power of nature and the human experience. The song uses personification to give the wind a name and a personality, suggesting that it is a character in the stories we tell about our lives. The song has become a classic and has been covered by many artists over the years. Its enduring popularity is a testament to its timeless themes and beautiful poetry.